HIT U
Hamilton IT Update - Edition 2
Key Information
NCSSF Update
NCSSF funds have been acquitted, an email has been sent to you with the details.
Blue Netbook Folders
Thank you for your support in filling in the blue netbook folders during form. Data from this is used by Jade to determine which students need to return their device to school. This information is required on a fortnightly basis.
Peer Coaching
Still some room left if you would like to be involved in Peer Coaching. Please email through your interest to paul.johnston@education.wa.edu.au
Cartoon Corner
Tools For Engagement
ClassDojo As A Reward System In The Classroom
As you may be aware, the PBS committee have decided that Term 1 would be a good time to trial different methods of recording student’s positive behaviour – both inside and outside of the classroom.
Fitzy keeps reminding us that the feedback to students should be frequent and, being lazy, I didn’t want to be filling out Top Efforts each period! Consequently I have been trialling www.classdojo.com
Setting up an account is easy as is setting up a class. Each student is randomly given an avatar which funnily enough, even my U.S students quite like. If you set up the ClassDojo App (free)on your phone you can even allocate points to students as you walk around the room with a simple touch of your finger. If your computer is also opened to it and the projector is running, the points automatically update (if using the Chrome browser) within a second or so of inputting it on your mobile. There is also an audible ‘ding’ which has the students all interested in ‘who got a point?’
The attributes for allocating points are fully customisable so obviously I have used the 5 Agreements + you can add any others you prefer. There are negative attributes as well which reduce earned points and after discussing this with Fitz it is quite appropriate to use them - but do try to keep the 4:1 rule.
At the end of the class you will get a graph that will show how the class went and will help you determine how you went with the 4:1 rule. NOT ALWAYS EASY :P
This graph is also available for each individual student. It can show results for the class/student for that day/week/month/year/all time, or a custom date range.
There is an option of parents being able to login to see how their child is fairing. I don’t offer this option for a number of reasons.
Negatives so far
· If you are in a room without a projector the impact on the class is less and you may get students nagging you if anyone has been allocated points recently.
· If you don’t have the Chrome browser installed you need to keep hitting ‘refresh’ for the points to update on the projector screen.
· Unless you decide to have a database of all the students in the school, you can’t allocate points using this system to students when out on yard duty.
Positives so far
· I can hand these out like lollies to keep students focussed on their tasks and it really does work well.
· Results are immediate. There is no collation required at the end of the class/week/term.
· I don’t have to be tied to the computer to allocate points during a lesson. In fact, I virtually never do that.
· I can with one touch of the mobile allocate points from anywhere in the classroom.
· There is a ‘random’ choice of student function so you can’t be accused of only allocating points to favourite students. Also, they never know if their name will come up so they are motivated to stay on task.
Mark Crawford
Technician Tips
Common Issues at Login
The machine cannot establish network connectivity. This means that it is unable to “talk” back to the server and check your username and password.
Common causes for issue B are: network cables (typically blue) have been jiggled/pulled/bumped loose from the back of the computer or the wall socket; the blue network cable itself has been bent/twisted/run over so that the wires inside are broken, and is not functioning correctly; the computer is experiencing a hardware issue that does not allow it to detect the presence of the network cable.
Infographic - 7 Ways to Increase Student Engagement
Professional Reading
Article Title: The future of technology in education
Brief Synopsis: Predicting what future technology could do in the domain of education is certainly a difficult task. Mainly because the student community is looking at education from different angles, and technology itself is undergoing a massive change. One must realise that the future is clouded, and must be filtered through the ability of teachers — in the past and present — to think about the impact of technologies on student learning and capacity of the teaching community to undergird research in technology. We must remember that technologies are not the content of education; rather they provide a cornucopia of tools for learning.
Link: http://www.mydigitalfc.com/op-ed/future-technology-education-620
Hamilton SHS Digital Learning Community
We are a group of teachers at Hamilton SHS that are passionate about using digital technology to support students to learn. We are interested in your feedback about this publication - please contact us on the details below.
Email: paul.johnston@education.wa.edu.au
Website: hamilton.wa.edu.au
Location: 8 Purvis St, Hamilton Hill, Western Australia, Australia
Phone: 9314 0314
References
Home page, Retrieved 24/3/14, Class Dojo: www.classdojo.com
Infographic - 7 Ways to increase student engagement
7 ways to increase student engagement in the classroom, retrieved 28/3/2014, Reading Horizons: http://www.readinghorizons.com/blog/seven-ways-to-increase-student-engagement-in-the-classroom
Cartoon
Dilbert, retrieved 24/3/14, Wikimedia: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f3/Dilbert-20050910.png
Article
Future of technology in education, retrieved 24,3,14, My Digital FC: http://www.mydigitalfc.com/op-ed/future-technology-education-620/vic_high_school_takes_aim_paper_forms/